West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui is looking forward to the Premier League’s return after the September international break. His team is set to face Fulham away this Saturday. The Hammers currently occupy 13th place in the standings, having secured a win against Crystal Palace, but suffered losses to both Aston Villa and Manchester City.
With four matches to be played before the next break in October, Lopetegui is keen for his side to gather momentum, beginning with the game at Craven Cottage. He believes the squad, now settled after the close of the transfer window, is gradually adjusting to his tactics, and he remains optimistic about their progression. However, he recognizes the challenge posed by Fulham, a team that has established itself in the Premier League under Marco Silva and reached the EFL Cup semi-finals last season.
Fulham, with one win, one draw, and one loss so far this season, will aim to extend their unbeaten streak. Speaking ahead of the match, Lopetegui shared his thoughts on the team’s preparations, the impact of the international break, and the quality of Fulham’s squad.
“Many of our players were away on international duty, so we couldn’t work on everything we wanted to. However, we made good use of the time with those who stayed behind. Now that everyone has returned, we need to evaluate their physical and mental readiness ahead of the game.”
Reflecting on the international break, Lopetegui added:
“It was a busy time both at the training ground and away from football. Our technical coach, Edu Rubio, got married in Somerset, and I had the pleasure of attending. Congratulations to him!
With the transfer window closed, we are now focused on the squad we have. While some players left, we’ve added strong talent and our main priority is building a cohesive team, working together under a unified philosophy.”
Lopetegui also discussed the upcoming clash against Fulham:
“We know Fulham will be a tough opponent. They are a balanced team with a clear playing style, shaped by Marco Silva’s consistent leadership. They’ve got a strong group of players and did well against us last season. We are ready for the challenge and excited about the match.”
On the series of London fixtures, he concluded:
“We’re currently playing a number of matches in London, which happens with so many teams from the capital. These games always have a special atmosphere, but we need to stay focused on the job at hand. Every Premier League game is a test, and we’re determined to give our best and secure a positive result.”
